Originally Posted by
ghostofcrujones
i've tried clipless for a bit (and really liked the power transfer, tight snug fit etc), but found it really hard getting OUT of them. I have a pair of crank bros. egg beaters. I think alot of the hard time getting out was due to having multiple bikes, riding multiple bikes throughout any given week, and only having clipless pedals on one (ie switching between clipless and clips&straps).
As a result, i wiped out a couple times (both times at a complete stop). I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience with clipless pedals&shoes during an accident. I don't think (at least at the level of practice i was at) that i would be able to get out if hit by a car/cyclist.
Do you think the impact of a car or the ground would snap you out of the clips? (hitting the ground never unclipped me before). Kinda concerned that being so securely attached would lead to much greater injury than being able to quickly dismount in an oh ****! scenario.
I've never had a problem clipping out on a moment's notice in emergency situations. I've never hit/been hit by a car to test this (thank god), but I've fallen enough times to know that, generally, spds disengage quite easily from collisions if the tension is not cranked way up. And that level of tension still gives me enough confidence for the occasional skip stop and track stand. I agree with you, that it's not good to be stuck, securely attached to a bike in the midst of a collision. Perhaps the tension in your pedals was set too high for your cleats? After you've fallen enough times with clipless pedals, there's a reflex develops when a crash is imminent that I can only describe as "Dorothy frantically tapping her red slippers". Just takes practice, sooner or later you don't even think about disengaging; it just kind of becomes muscle memory.
Oh yeah also, make sure you have a front brake if you're running clipless on fixed. Always.